This poster, visible at the Mumbai protests, the second after outrage swept India at the spate of lynchings of Muslims and Dalits under Modi rule, says it all. On Monday afternoon, thousands of Mumbaikars said "This is Not the Future We Want". Thirty-eight organisations and trade unions joined the march to put pressure on the government to ensure the rule of law and equal protection by the law, as guaranteed under the Indian Constitution.
Thousands of people in Mumbai marched on Monday against mob lynchings and hate crimes across the country. The march called “Nafrat ke Khilaaf Insaaniyat Ki Awaaz (The Voice of Humanity against Hatred) was called by civil society groups, trade unions, intellectuals and concerned citizens. Raising slogans like “Don’t kill in the name of cows”, protesters marched from Mumbai’s Kotwal Garden to Chaitya Bhoomi, Dr. BR Ambedkar’s memorial in Dadar.
The march came five days after thousands protested at Carter Road in Bandra as part of the “Not In My Name” campaign. Documentary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan, Baripa Bahujan Mahasangh leader Prakash Ambedkar and CPI leader Prakash Reddy were among those who led the march.
Pointing out the rise in attacks against the marginalized under Modi regime,Patwardhan said "We are not expecting any action from the government. They won't do anything, we are sure. But we want to appeal directly to the people that they have to save the constitution and for that they need their voices to be heard".
"It is not just Muslims who are being targeted by gau rakshaks. Even Dalits and whoever else opposes the government's policies are being targeted," said Patwardhan .
